Q&A: Kadhim Matroud, BOC director for Siba gas field Output is rising at Iraq's only commercially producing dry gas field, but reserves estimates have been cut in half. Kadhim Matroud of the Basra Oil Company. (ALI AL-AQILY/Iraq Oil Report)
Sep 23, 2021 Q&A: Farhan Muhssin al-Fartousi, head of the General Company for Ports of Iraq Work on the Grand Fao port project is moving forward, and oil product exports via Khor al-Zubair are getting an upgrade.
Sep 14, 2021 Q&A: Hossam Hussein Walli, director general of the South Refineries Company Expansions of southern Iraq's refining capacity appear to depend on negotiations with foreign investors.
Aug 11, 2021 Q&A: Kurdistan Region VP Sheikh Jaafar Sheikh Mustafa The former Peshmerga leader and PUK politburo member reflects on the priorities and crises facing the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
Jul 30, 2021 Q&A: Oil Minister Ihsan Ismaael Iraq’s oil chief discusses negotiations with Total and Chevron, arbitration with Exxon, the future of INOC, several gas project updates, and budget talks with the Kurdistan region.
Jul 1, 2021 Q&A: Hamza Abdul-Baqi Nassir, director general of the South Gas Company Iraq is continuing to negotiate with Total over the Ratawi gas hub as export cuts from Iran and nationwide electricity failures highlight the need for new domestic energy supply.
May 11, 2021 Q&A: Dhi Qar Gov. Ahmed al-Khafaji Weeks after taking office, Dhi Qar's new governor discusses aspirations for quelling oil protests, raising employment, and attracting investment.
May 6, 2021 Q&A: Sheikh Kadhim Majeed al-Sarayefi A Basra tribal leader discusses his business relationship with international oil companies, the need for private-sector development, and the problem of tribal violence.
Apr 26, 2021 Q&A: Dhia Shaker al-Luaibi, director of Majnoon oil field Basra Oil Company's field manager at Majnoon talks foreign interest and Iraqi success in developing the field once operated by Shell.
Apr 22, 2021 Q&A: Khalid Hamza Abbas, Basra Oil Company director general The chief of Basra's oil sector discusses Exxon's impending departure from West Qurna 1, Total's bid for a massive new deal, and Iraq's efforts to develop new capacity from state-run fields.
Apr 7, 2021 Q&A: Bassem Abdul Karim Nassir, head of the Iraqi Drilling Company The director general of Iraq's state-run drilling company discusses plans to help the country boost production in an era of higher oil prices and loosening OPEC constraints.
Mar 19, 2021 Q&A: Ninewa Gov. Najim al-Jibouri The military commander-turned-governor says Mosul has largely succeeded in re-establishing security — but lagging support from Baghdad is hurting the local economy, including energy investment.
Mar 16, 2021 Q&A: PUK Co-President Lahur Talabany The co-leader of Kurdistan's second-largest party discusses politicized oil policies, factionalized leadership, security risks, and Iraq's national budget.
Mar 11, 2021 Q&A: Khor al-Zubair Port Director Ahmed Jassim al-Assadi At Iraq's main fuel import and export hub, the the port director describes the facility's layout and activities and talks about plans to expand capacity and revenue flows.
Mar 9, 2021 Q&A: Omar al-Waili, director of the Iraqi Border Ports Commission With shake-ups at Iraqi border ports, the Kadhimi administration is trying to combat corruption, increase revenues, and reinforce federal government authority.
Mar 4, 2021 Q&A: Electricity Minister Majid Mahdi Hantoush Iraq is racing to improve electricity service in time for summer — and reduce dependence on Iranian energy imports — with new cross-border tie lines, more generation capacity, and initiatives to rein in demand.
Feb 24, 2021 Q&A: Dr. Reyadh Abdul Amir, head of Iraq’s coronavirus vaccine program The Health Ministry's vaccine chief discusses efforts to obtain and administer doses, as well as the potential for a future "vaccine passport" policy.
Feb 5, 2021 Q&A: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ali Allawi Iraq's top economic and energy leader discusses OPEC policy, forward oil sales, gas projects, economic reforms, and more.
Nov 6, 2020 Q&A: Marfaa Kadhim al-Assadi, deputy director of Basra Gas Company Now that Shell personnel have returned, BGC is focused on resuming delayed projects to turn more flared gas into electricity and revenue for Iraq.
Sep 22, 2020 Q&A: Jabar Yawar, Secretary General of the Peshmerga In the fight against a persistent insurgency, long-delayed efforts to improve coordination between Kurdish Peshmerga and federal security forces could be key.
Aug 6, 2020 Q&A: Hussein Abdul-Kadhim Hussein, director of the Rumaila Operating Organization The Rumaila field produces one-third of Iraq's oil, but it has pulled back from record output due to budget constraints and OPEC obligations.
Nov 25, 2019 Q&A: Thamir Ghadhban, Deputy Prime Minister for Energy and Minister of Oil In the midst of an unpredictable protest movement, Iraq's oil sector has avoided output disruptions and plans are on track for developing new production and export capacity.
Nov 8, 2019 Q&A: Mohammed Shukri, chairman of the KRG Board of Investment Iraqi Kurdistan's chief investment official talks about streamlining the bureaucracy and bringing new focus on industry and agriculture.
Jun 28, 2019 Q&A: Thamir Ghadhban, Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister for Energy and Minister of Oil As Iraq pursues energy independence, the country's oil chief is streamlining the bureaucracy, crafting new investment incentives, and preparing to award mega-projects.
Jun 13, 2019 Q&A: Ihsan Ismaael, director general of Basra Oil Company Iraq's largest state oil company is expanding production capacity and building new infrastructure as it waits out an OPEC quota.